Why getting angry whilst driving, is a waste of your time.
Now, I know some of you will get to the end of this post and completely ignore the message because road rage is now just a habit.
If you're a driver, then you will understand the anger people feel when out on the road driving. Whether caused through sitting in traffic, road works or more commonly, other drivers. I don't think I have ever been in a car with a driver who hasn't gotten frustrated at one point or another, or even someone who hasn't sworn whilst behind the wheel.
Maybe you are one of these drivers? I can be at times, and I have been before.
Common reasons people get angry when driving
When we jump in our cars, we want to get from A to B as quickly as we can, without any fuss in between. Here's a list of the main reasons I feel people get angry when driving:
1. Other road users causing delays or near accidents
2. Traffic lights turning red
3. Road works creating slow moving traffic
4. People 'butting in'
Any of these ringing bells with you? Which one irritates you the most?
Now about 10 years or so ago, I had to attend a Driver's Awareness course after parking on a road which had hatched markings. I had a choice or a fine with points on my licence or a day's course, and so I chose the course.
At this training, our trainer talked about the reason we were there, and the common reasons accidents happen. One of those main causes was the frustration in drivers causing a lack in concentration, leading to collisions. He asked us all to raise our hands on whether we would let a driver pull in, in front of us during a traffic jam, from an outside lane which had allowed them closer to the front. Almost every hand in the room stayed down as we all agreed that we would not let them in, as they should have waited like everyone else. Even just the mention of this caused some frustration in the room as people pictured how it made them feel out on the road.
This is what our trainer said
"Does letting someone pull in, really make that much of a difference to our day? Will we be delay by more than a few seconds because they slip in in front? Is it worth the energy that is required to be that angry and frustrated?"
He went on to say, that we have no idea why that person is trying to 'cut in' or 'jump the queue'. For all we know, there is someone in that car who is distressed because they are on the way to the hospital to see a loved one, and now they are stuck in traffic. Of course, this won't always be the case, but we can never know when it might be.
Now my Mum is a prime example of an angry driver, to the point, I sometimes hate being in the car with her. She will not let someone push in in front of her, no matter what. Yet, she will huff and moan at people when they won't let her pull in, in front of them. The only word is HYPOCRYTE. I will state for the record that I love my Mum dearly, but she is not alone in being like this on the road.
The reason for this post
I was recently in the car with my other half, he was driving and getting so annoyed about drivers coming up on our left and then cutting into the right lane further up. He was so annoyed about it and so I asked him why?
"Why are you this annoyed about such a small thing?"
It really is NOT WORTH your energy to be this angry at such a tiny, insignificant thing. Why let it ruin even 5 minutes of your day?
I can still make comments about other people's driving or when I am caught in traffic, but my point is, I let it go as quickly as it comes. I don't care if people come up the inside to get further ahead, it really makes no difference to me. This person isn't getting one over on me because now they are 30 seconds closer to their destination.
I really want you to stop and think
Next time you are out on the road driving, catch how many times you get angry and annoyed at things around you. Then ask yourself "is this really worth getting annoyed about?"
Can you let the car pull in without making a comment, can you not beep your horn at someone driving slowly? Stop looking at the world through the eyes of competition and people trying to get one over on you and just enjoy the journey.
Remember: Angry drivers have twice as many road accidents than those who remain calm. You are also more likely to take unnecessary risks, something to think about when you have passengers in the car with you. Are you ok with putting them at a higher risk of an accident too?
Now,
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